These days when we think of school, we think of a large building with classrooms packed with loud children and desks. Up until a relatively short while ago, however, schooling was mostly done at home. Children of all ages were taught right around their kitchen table and, after they had learned their lessons for the day, took off to do chores and other work around the home.
Now the thought of teaching your very own child in your own home seems to be absolutely confounding to most parents. There are also plenty of misconceptions floating around out there, such as homeschooled children not receiving an adequate education, or that homeschooled children grow up with some sort of a “social handicap” because they weren’t around other children their age.
Have More Social Time
First, the idea that homeschooled children are some how socially inept in any way is ludicrous. No studies have shown that children who are in a classroom are any better in social situations than those who learn at home. Many parents fail to recognize that teaching a child at home in fact opens up a whole lot more free time for their kids, which means that their homeschooled children can participate in more sports, crafts, and community events than their counterparts.
Bond with Your Child
Teaching your very own child allows you to bond closely with them and create a curriculum and teaching style that suits their needs. There are, of course, certain guidelines and subjects that must be taught, but you would be surprised just how much room there is in a school curriculum to create your own lesson plan. Your child will not have to worry about the lessons going too fast or too slow for them, nor will they have the social pressures (such as how to dress and how to behave) from their peers pressing down on them.
Find Help Locally and Online
Worried about creating a curriculum for your child? There are several resources available to you both online and locally. Check it out and see if homeschooling may be right for you and your family. I made the switch when I found out my daughter was being bullied in school, and homeschooling her has been the best decision I could have ever made for her. I now homeschool my other two children as well and we love it!
photo by Real Odyssey
